Vision Zero is an international traffic safety movement built on the concept that no loss of life on our streets in acceptable and traffic crashes are not mere “accidents,” but preventable mishaps that can be reduced and ultimately eliminated with systemic changes. In 2012, Chicago adopted a Zero in 10 goal to eliminate traffic fatalities by 2022.

Since Chicago made its commitment in 2012, several other cities have established Vision Zero policies and taken steps to achieve these new goals, including New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Seattle and Portland.

Still, we’re lacking an action plan that ties all these strategies together, brings all relevant public agencies to the table — including transportation, public health, police, water management and others — and assigns responsibility and accountability for long overdue safety improvements.

During election season, Mayor Emanuel and the new city council heard from crash victims and their families, physicians, traffic safety experts and advocates like us who recognize Chicago needs to do more to achieve real progress on its Vision Zero goal. With momentum building for the movement across the country, it’s time for our leaders to respond to this call for action and join our peer cities in making our streets safer for everyone.

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